Google has yet to come out with its own robot but it’s Googlebot is constantly scouring the Internet for relevant content in webpages. The Googlebot is a search bot used by Google. It collects documents from the web to build a searchable index for the Google search engine.
When you sit with a group of search engine optimizers, they’ll be talking about how they try to control the Googlebot to help websites be on top of the Google rankings. But I personally think Google is going to have to change the robot’s batteries. In other words, to tweak it a little bit more rather than to just find relevant keywords.
I’m saying this because while I’m doing some web design in Malaysia, my clients would nowadays ask me if I could help them get on the top of Google. Obviously, it’s not impossible but here are some common questions I ask myself when they ask me.
- What search engine optimization method would you use?
- How will you implement the search engine optimization method?
- Will you be able to maintain the search engine position?
And I’m saying the Googlebot needs new batteries because I’ve observed some of my client’s competitor website implement search engine optimization methods which Google deemed illegal. These dark methods are also known as black hat methods. Google mentioned it will ‘ban’ websites found:
- Keyword flooding
- Link farm creating
- Hiding keywords
- And plenty more…
I’m very frustrated and disappointed to find some websites using dark methods but Google hasn’t taken any action against them. Furthermore, there isn’t a way for a user to report to Google about this.
For example; do a search for “NLP Malaysia”. Go through some of the websites on page one. You will find one website that has keywords on the top which obviously doesn’t make a logical sentence normally read by a human being.
Another example; search for “web design Malaysia”. From the first page of results, you will find one website which has hidden keywords. Now, hidden could mean it’s either hidden via programming or it’s hidden because it’s the same colour as the background.
These examples are proof to me that the Googlebot either needs new batteries or the Googlebot model is due for an upgrade. Otherwise, I’m going to start implementing these methods as well since nobody is doing anything about it.
Any other examples you have come across using dark methods of search engine optimization?
Clients are like that, they don’t understand that SEO takes time and patience to achieve. It’s not just the hits you get on your site, but the conversion – sales? services?
Many website spam bots generate alot of page base on popular keywords automaticly, and floods google – this is irritating.
It’s not so much just about the clients but Google aren’t doing their job either.
I’ve come across a couple of websites which are deemed to be ‘banned’ methods but Google hasn’t taken any action against them. If there was a Report button, I’d happily tell Google which are the ones.
And yes, spam bots are typically annoying.